PHUKET - Provincial authorities say they are investigating complaints that some businesses operated by Israelis on this tourist island are refusing services to Thai customers.
They are also checking whether any such businesses are linked to the illegal use of Thai nominees on behalf of foreign nationals, said deputy governor Khetrath Chansilp.
He made the comments on Tuesday after carrying out inspections in the Patong tourist area of Kathu district, where a tour company catering to Israelis and a clothing shop were among the businesses visited.
Officials from the provincial office of the Department of Employment were also present, along with Kathu district administration officers.
The inspections on Monday were in line with intensified scrutiny of foreign-operated businesses nationwide, said Pol Capt Khetrath, who is also an acting security adviser to the Interior Ministry.
He said the investigations focused on establishing the facts surrounding the businesses, including management, relevant documentation and business practices.
Officials would also inspect shops that cater exclusively to Israeli customers, including businesses displaying advertising in Hebrew, he said.
He stressed that business operators must not discriminate between Thai and foreign customers and must strictly comply with Thai law. (Story continues below)
Nominee crackdown
The deputy governor said the island was stepping up efforts to crack down on foreign investors using Thai nominees to conceal their ownership and control of businesses.
“Phuket is intensifying its efforts to regulate and suppress foreign capital using nominee arrangements, mobilising cooperation from local administrative authorities, police, kamnan and village heads, and other agencies to tackle the problem across all business sectors, including car rentals, hotels and restaurants,” said Pol Capt Khetrath.
Enforcement operations in one area are intended to serve as a deterrent elsewhere, he said, encouraging businesses to comply with the law.
Officials will focus on direct inspections, thorough checks of corporate documents and immediate legal action when violations are identified, he added.
Phuket has a large population of both Thai and foreign residents and more than 1,000 companies with foreign shareholders.
